Beckham 'excited' by possible 'Classique' debut for PSG

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Updated 5:00 PM ET, Sun February 24, 2013

David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – David Beckham is a man of many talents. Not only is he one of the most famous names in sports, but he's also one heck of a model. Tommy Hilfiger has now recognized the 38-year-old former soccer player as the No. 1 underwear model of the century. It's just one of several career highs for Beckham, seen here modeling Emporio Armani underwear in a 2009-2010 ad campaign.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham makes his England debut at a World Cup qualifying match against Moldova in 1996.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham celebrates his goal against Colombia in the 1998 World Cup.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – As a player on Manchester United, Beckham cools down during the FA Charity Shield match against Arsenal in 1998.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – At the 1998 World Cup, in a second-round match against Argentina, Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone. England lost the match on penalties and was eliminated, with Beckham becoming a hate figure for some fans.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham poses after a news conference in Awaji-shima Island, Japan, in 2002.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham poses with Beyonce, left, and Jennifer Lopez in Madrid during a presentation of the new Pepsi "Samourai" in 2004.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

A name brand – Beckham acts as England's captain during the 2004 European Championships in Portugal.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham waves after a La Liga match between Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna in 2007.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – The midfielder celebrates with his sons in 2007 after Real Madrid won the Spanish League title by beating Mallorca.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham makes an appearance to promote his fragrance "David Beckham Intimately Night" in Sydney in 2007.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham reveals his new No. 32 jersey after his loan move to AC Milan in 2008.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham controls the ball during a 2010 World Cup qualifier.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham, during his time with the Los Angeles Galaxy, walks toward the line judge to have a chat during Game 1 of the MLS Western Conference semifinals in 2009.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham arrives at Sydney International Airport in 2010.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – David and his wife, Victoria, arrive at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in 2011.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – The Beckhams attend the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in West Hollywood, California, in 2012.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham celebrated his second MLS Cup in December 2012 when he decided to leave with a year left on his contract and seek one final challenge in Europe.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham passes under London's Tower Bridge in a speedboat carrying the Olympic Torch in 2012.

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David Beckham through the years23 photos

David Beckham through the years – Beckham poses with Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, left, and PSG sports director Leonardo during a news conference announcing his new gig in January 2013.

Story highlights

David Beckham named in a 20-man squad for Paris Saint-Germain's match on Sunday

Veteran soccer icon hoping to make his debut in match against "Classique" rivals Marseille

PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti refuses to confirm that midfielder will take part in match

Beckham's former club Manchester United extend English league lead to 15 points

On the day one of his former clubs marched closer to yet another title, David Beckham was relishing the prospect of making his debut for Paris Saint-Germain in one of French football's biggest fixtures.

The ex-Manchester United star has been named in the PSG squad for Sunday's home clash with third-placed Marseille, the only French team to ever win the European title.

"Le Classique" has come to prominence again following both clubs' return to fortunes -- league-leading PSG's due to an influx of Qatari cash, and Marseille's after a humiliating spell outside the top flight thanks to a match-fixing scandal.

"I played a lot of big games in my career, such as duels between AC Milan and Inter, Real Madrid and Barcelona, or the Galaxy and Chivas," Beckham told PSG's official website after being named in a 20-man squad.

"I think it's very exciting to discover a new very special game."

Beckham will not be the only superstar on show on Sunday -- his former Real Madrid teammate, Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo, has been invited to the match as a special guest.

'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience 9 photos

'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience9 photos

Beckham mania – Hundreds of fans and journalists flocked to the Paris Saint-Germain training ground Wednesday to get a glimpse of David Beckham in action on the practice field. The interest in Beckham's move to the French club has caused huge excitement with the anticipation building ahead of the midfielder's possible debut on Sunday.

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'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience9 photos

Bonjour Becks! – David Beckham took part in his first training session with his new Paris Saint-Germain teammates less than 24 hours after watching them claim a 2-1 win at Valencia in the last-16 round of the Champions League. on Tuesday.

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'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience9 photos

Getting stuck in – Beckham, 37, was put through is paces at the club's open training day where more than 100 journalists turned up to witness the event. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is hoping to make his debut against Sochaux on Sunday, but it's not known if his pop star wife Victoria will be in attendance. Beckham's family has remained in London where his children Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz attend school following their move from Los Angeles.

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'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience9 photos

Working out – Beckham, who won 115 caps for England, has signed a five-month deal with the Qatari-backed club, but has revealed that his salary will be donated to a Paris children's charity. He will now hope to force his way into the side and link up with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lucas Moura and Ezequiel Lavezzi with the team six points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

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'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience9 photos

Welcome wave – Beckham waves to the waiting press pack as he makes his way out at the club's Camp des Loges training center in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris. The session, which was led by PSG's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, was shown live on French television.

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'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience9 photos

Pretty in pink – Beckham shows off his new pink boots, a pair of which even Posh Spice might approve of. While Beckham is busy preparing for his debut, fashion designer Victoria was having her latest designs shown off by models in London.

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'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience9 photos

Hot stuff – After working up a sweat, Beckham throws off his top and gets back to work with the players who didn't feature in Tuesday's win at Valencia. If Beckham doesn't play against Sochaux on Sunday, he could line-up the following week against fierce rival Marseille and fellow Englishman Joey Barton.

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'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience9 photos

Life's a beach – Beckham takes to the sand as he steps up his training regime. Running on sand has several long-term benefits which includes strengthening the lower body muscles, burning more calories and is supposed to be easier on the joints as opposed to grass.

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'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience9 photos

Becks and Leo – Beckham watched PSG's win at Valencia alongside the club's sporting director Leonardo. The pair looked on as their side edged out Valencia 2-1 in the first leg thanks to goals from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off late on. The Swede will miss the second leg in the French capital on March 6.

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EXPAND GALLERY

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti was wary of confirming that Beckham will make his first appearance since agreeing a five-month deal on the final day of the January transfer window, when the 37-year-old English soccer icon promised to give his wages to a children's charity in Paris.

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David Beckham's last U.S. game – David Beckham ended his five-year stint in America's pro soccer league in style Saturday as his team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, won the MLS Cup. The Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-1 to win the cup for the second year in a row. Nearly two weeks ago, the team announced that Saturday's game would be Beckham's last with the team. Pictured, Beckham addresses the media after the game on Saturday, December 1, in Carson, California.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham drinks out of the MLS Trophy after the victory.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Fans hold up signs for Beckham at The Home Depot Center during the game.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham looks on while taking on the Houston Dynamo.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Galaxy captain Landon Donovan holds up the MLS Trophy as David Beckham, lower left, and other teammates celebrate their win.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham attacks as Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall tries to stop the ball in the second half.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham has a free kick in the second half.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham waves to fans as he walks off the pitch after the game.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham kicks a corner kick.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham leaps over Houston's Brad Davis in the second half.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham celebrates in the second half.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham and Houston's Ricardo Clark go for a header in the first half.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham attempts to disrupt an inbound pass by Houston's goalie Tally Hall in the second half.

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Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game14 photos

David Beckham's last U.S. game – After the win, Beckham celebrates with his sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.

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"He will be available but I don't want to reveal the team," the Italian told reporters on Saturday.

"He has worked well and is in good state physically and mentally. He wants to play and he is in a condition to start. He is capable of playing a full match."

PSG will be looking to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat by Sochaux, which left the club three points clear of second-placed Lyon.

Manchester United stayed on course for a record-extending 20th English title by beating the Premier League's bottom club Queens Park Rangers 2-0 on Saturday to extend the team's lead to 15 points.

Second-placed Manchester City will seek to cut that gap by beating third-placed Chelsea on Sunday, while Tottenham could go above the deposed European champions with victory at London rivals West Ham on Monday.

United's top scorer Robin van Persie injured a hip in the buildup to defender Rafael's opening goal against QPR, but is expected to be fit for the Champions League last-16 clash with Real Madrid on March 5.

"He collided with a camera, which was in a dug-out piece of ground. He hit the base of it and has a very bruised hip," United boss Alex Ferguson said of the 19-goal Dutchman.

Ryan Giggs celebrated his 999th United appearance by scoring the second goal with 10 minutes left.

Fifth-placed Arsenal moved to within a point of Tottenham as Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over third-bottom Aston Villa to relieve the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger.

Sixth-placed Everton's Champions League hopes suffered a big blow with a 2-1 defeat at Norwich, while West Brom moved up to seventh with a 2-1 win at home to Sunderland thanks to a double from on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

Wigan moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 victory at second-bottom reading, as Ivory coast striker Arouna Kone netted twice.

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal of the early midtable game against Stoke, his eighth this season.